The last year has featured a lot of ups and downs in the grain markets, driven by fundamental, technical and outside factors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued three blending waivers, or Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs), to fuel refiners immediately before the exit of the agency's administrator Andrew Wheeler.

The weather is active to start the week. A widespread swath of winter weather, an Arctic blast on its way from Canada and precipitation in parts of the parched West all highlight the ag weather outlook to start the week.

When the COVID-19 pandemic materialized, one sector hard-hit was the meatpacking industry, with plant workers idled, made ill or passing away from the virus and frantic industry steps to sustain the supply chain as live animal stocks mounted and plant output slowed or stopped altogether.

It ain't over until the fat lady sings. And she's not singing yet for the grain market.

It's no secret confidence in USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop reporting has waned in recent years, with speculation rising about the legitimacy of the agency's data and reporting methods.

Lake-effect snow and rain and snowfall in the southern Plains and Southeast are the major features of the U.S. ag weather picture as the week starts to wind down.

U.S. agriculture is ready to begin implementing the general changes it needs to in order to become part of limiting adverse climate change in the near future, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture nominee Tom Vilsack said this week.

While crop weather and the continuing drought storyline continue to influence U.S. crop prospects and corresponding grain market prices, there are some macroeconomic factors in play, and it's a good idea to stay on top of the risk they represent for market direction.

Jewel Bronaugh, Virginia state agriculture commissioner, has been nominated for deputy ag secretary, the number-two post at USDA.